The Daily Lard 7-25-11

Douglas LeeJul 25, 2011 8:12 AM

Good Morning, Broncos fans! Expectations remain that the NFLPA's executive committee and 32 player reps will vote to approve the CBA, although a pair of emails from Drew Brees to his Saints teammates details a shorter and more chaotic timeline than was reported yesterday. According to Brees, free agency may begin on Tuesday at noon for all parties - meaning no exclusive negotiating period for teams to retain their own UFAs, and with both veterans and undrafted rookies able to sign contracts at that point. Brees also wrote that some teams may aim to open training camps by Thursday, with players reporting the day before to check in and possibly receive their physicals.

According to Jay Glazer, the plan is for 10 teams to open camp on Thursday, another 10 to do so on Friday, and the remaining 12 teams commencing on Saturday. No word on where the Broncos fit within that schedule. Meanwhile, Mike Freeman says the executive committee will vote at 9am ET, the player reps at 11am ET, and De Smith would hold a presser at 2pm ET, possibly with the Commish there as well. Freeman also says that players may be able to enter team facilities voluntarily as soon as the agreement is ratified.

CBA

Judy Battista writes that the players' side again made a last-minute request for the insertion of an opt-out clause into the CBA, although it's reportedly again not a deal-breaker.

In his MMQB, Peter King says there may very well be an opt-out clause in the final agreement, and the possibility of 18-game seasons starting in 2013. PK says that the ability to sign restricted free agents (Matt Prater, Wesley Woodyard) may go into August, and that coaches and GMs are already complaining that the lighter practice rules will lower the quality of the game. Plus, he thinks Nnamdi Asomugha would be a Jet given his first choice.

Andrew Brandt shares his latest thoughts on the agreement and says the first order of business for teams is to get rid of so-called "dead weight" from their rosters and salary caps.

Clark Judge summarizes the lockout, including what the players and owners gained and lost, the winners and losers, and the key turning points.

Mike Tanier on the effect of the lockout on the undrafted rookies who have been left hanging.

Broncos

Dave Krieger had a sitdown last week with OC Mike McCoy, who says the offense from last year will "stay intact" and that "new concepts" and "wrinkles" will be added, but that the terminology will remain the same. McCoy says he will call plays from the sideline, with Adam Gase, Clancy Barone and QC assistant Brian Callahan all up in the coaches' box.

Heads (ours, yours) will be spinning. Mike Klis expects the Broncos to make betwen 40 and 50 player transactions in the coming week, although that does include signing draft choices. He's figuring upon up to 15 undrafted rookies, five to seven veteran free agents, and of course plenty of cuts to get the training camp roster to 90. Of course, Klis says the Broncos may trade Kyle Orton, and he thinks Correll Buckhalter, Jabar Gaffney (Rams?) and Renaldo Hill could be dealt away. Interestingly, Klis says the Broncos will re-sign Ryan McBean. Didn't know he was still in the picture...

CBS4 on the relationship between rookie TE Julius Thomas and Brady Quinn, who has welcomed Thomas into his home and helped him learn the offense.

CBS4 profiles former QB Matt Mauck, who just started work at a Denver area dental practice.

Meanwhile, his backfield mate Matt Forte wants a new deal from the Bears a year before he's to hit free agency.

Mike Lombardi says NFL practices are about to go soft, that strength coaches will have their work cut out for them when the overweight players show up, and that health concerns will affect free agency.

Haggan is one of my favorite players. I only wish he were a bit more talented so I could be confident that we would be seeing him in a Broncos uniform this year. What he has going for him is his leadership, as his election to team captain showed, and that is something the Broncos need. And, as Doc mentioned, Miller can benefit greatly from Haggan&#8217s knowledge and example.

Regarding Cutler, since he has become anathema in so many circles, he will be facing a new round of reviling for his recent romantic breakup. What we have to remember is that we don&#8217t personally know him or her, and we have no idea what went on behind closed doors. He might have &#8220dumped&#8221 her, yet he might have simply gotten himself out of a bad situation.

Probably the best thing to say about it is nothing . . .

Posted by LarryB on 2011-07-25 20:49:17

It&#8217s going to be insane. I&#8217m looking forward to it.

I loved seeing Von Miller tweeting that he&#8217d worked out with Mario Haggan. Haggan has been a class act as a player and a man who has a lot of info to pass on to a young Sam linebacker. I hope that he manages to stay on at DE.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2011-07-25 18:47:16

40-50 player transitions may very well be on the table in the coming days and weeks&#8230

Posted by bfree2bronc on 2011-07-25 18:34:55

@Dennis Mitchell

Just meant I got to wake up to Broncos Football!

Just heard on NFLN that the Jets and the Ravens are the two teams(and final) teams to report to TC on Saturday, everyone else will be in camp by the 29th.

Posted by SpaceCowboy on 2011-07-25 13:38:29

yeah but those 11 am starts on Sunday in Denver for east coast games is brutal

Posted by Dennis Mitchell on 2011-07-25 13:34:11

And this is one crappy thing about living in EST, if I still lived on the West Coast I would wake up to awesome news, now I have to sit and wait for it!

Posted by SpaceCowboy on 2011-07-25 13:07:51

How exciting is this!!!! Thank goodness I am able to get NFLN on my android tablet, so as long as they are reporting goodness, that is exciting.

The other exciting thing? Andrew Mason is back!

Don&#8217t let me down players! I am selfish and I want my football

Posted by SpaceCowboy on 2011-07-25 13:02:24

I hope tomorrow (I&#8217m in Philippines) after I wake up that the this drama has already ended.